In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.

2 KINGS 23:29KJV
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2 Kings 23:29 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 23:29 mean?

2 Kings 23:29 tells how Pharaoh Necho, the king of Egypt, marched out to fight against the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River, and King Josiah of Judah tried to confront him at Megiddo, where Josiah was killed. This verse marks the end of Josiah’s reign and a turning point for the kingdom of Judah.

The verse is part of a historical account, not a speech or prophecy. It describes a real event during Josiah’s time, showing the political turmoil as Egypt and Assyria fought for power in the region. Josiah’s decision to oppose Pharaoh Necho led to his death at Megiddo, a key location in northern Israel, which had lasting consequences for Judah.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 23:29

  • פַּרְעֹה נְכוֹ (Par‘ōh Nĕkhō; Pharaohnechoh): This is the Hebrew name for Pharaoh Necho, the Egyptian king. The use of his specific name highlights that this was a notable historical figure, not just any Egyptian ruler.
  • מֶלֶךְ (melekh; king): This word is used several times in the verse for the kings of Egypt, Assyria, and Judah, emphasizing the clash of major rulers.
  • מְגִדּוֹ (Megiddo): This is the place where Josiah confronted Pharaoh Necho. Megiddo was a strategic city controlling an important route, which explains why the battle happened there.
  • הָרַג (harag; slew): This word means “to kill” or “to slay.” The verse uses it to state plainly that Josiah was killed in the encounter, not just wounded or defeated.

Why 2 Kings 23:29 matters

  • This verse explains how Josiah, one of Judah’s most faithful kings, died unexpectedly in battle, which led to a rapid decline in Judah’s fortunes.
  • The mention of Egypt and Assyria shows the international power struggles affecting Judah, helping readers understand the larger context of the Bible’s history.
  • The account sets up the events that follow, where Judah quickly falls under foreign control, leading to exile.

Where else these words appear

“Pharaohnechoh” Hebrew H6549 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:33 And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
  • 2 Kings 23:34 And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.
  • 2 Kings 23:35 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh.

“Megiddo” Hebrew H4023 · used in 12 verses

  • Joshua 12:21 The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
  • Judges 5:19 The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
  • 2 Kings 23:30 And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead.

“Euphrates” Hebrew H6578 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 24:7 And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
  • Jeremiah 13:6 And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

“Josiah” Hebrew H2977 · used in 48 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
  • Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.